Combination toothbrush and toothbrush cleaner



Dec. 19, 1967 F. o. MATIBAG 3,358,314

COMBINATION TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHBRUSH CLEANER Filed May 8, 1967 United States Patent 3,358,314 COMBINATION TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHBRUSH CLEANER Felipe 0. Matibag, Dumaguete City, Philippines Filed May 8, 1967, Ser. No. 636,685 3 Claims. (Cl. 15-246) This invention is an improvement over applicants pending design application for United States Letters Patent filed Feb. -17, 1966, Serial No. D. 1,338, for the same title, now D. 207,836. It relates to the use of a toothbrush cleaner to clean the hard-to-reach bases of toothbrush bristles.

One object of the invention is to provide toothbrush users with a handy cleaner to clean the bases of toothbrush bristles, areas where toothpaste scums and decaying bits of matter accumulate and harden.

Another object is to provide toothbrush users with a remainder to clean their toothbrushes with the availability of a handy cleaner. Still another object is to provide wearers of artificial dentures with an eflicient brush cleaner to clean the deep crevices of artificial dentures, removed from the month for cleaning, the cleaners bristles being stifier and longer than the bristles of any toothbrush used for the same brush-cleaning job.

It is the prime purpose of my invention to serve the vital needs as described. Other objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of my combination toothbrush and toothbrush cleaner, showing my new invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof taken from the right of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, showing the toothbrush and toothbrush cleaner in operating position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of my alternate construction for the toothbrush cleaner invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, the toothbrush cleaner according to the present invention includes two types of cleaner handles, each type consisting of two portions, namely: End portion 1; which is identical to both types of cleaner handles, central portion 2 and, central portion 3. Groove 4 is provided on the flat and raised side of portion '1. Along the two sides of groove 4, channels 5 are provided. Toothbrush handle 6 is purposely allowed to slide freely through channels 5. This sliding motion is stopped by rounded catches 7, which are integral and molded parts of my new toothbrush handle. It is this combination feature that allows both toothbrush and toothbrush cleaner to be hung together for keeping and drying, using hole 8.

Central portion 2 of the cleaner handle is contoured as shown, to fit the users thumb-and-forefinger grip. Central portion 3 is straight or non-contoured, an alternate construction of the cleaner handle, giving the cleaner unit a neat and simple appearance.

3,358,314 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 The cleaners brush head 9, thickened on its underside, is provided with two rows of bristles 10, which are stiffer and longer than the bristles of the toothbrush. Each row consists of three circular groups of bristles.

In use, the toothbrush cleaner is pulled out of the toothbrush handle 6 and is held by its handle, preferably on its central portions 2 or 3, by the users Wor hand. With the toothbrush held by the users free hand, the cleaners bristles 10 are brushed through the toothbrush bristles until all evidences of scum have been removed.

The cleaner is rinsed with the rinsing of the toothbrush bristles. Toothbrush handle 6 is pushed through the cleaners end portion 1, starting from the side of central portions 2 or 3, along and through channels '5, until portion 1 is stopped by catches 7. The toothbrush, with its attached cleaner unit, is kept in any manner convenient to the user, making use of hole 8.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that my invention provides a means of cleaning toothbrush areas that are hard-to-clean; in providing toothbrush users with a physical reminder to clean their toothbrushs by the availability of a handy cleaner, and, in providing for a stiff and efficient cleaner to reach the deep crevices of artificial dentures removed for cleaning. Although I have shown a specific construction of the parts, I am aware of the fact that the parts may be varied in form, shape and contour, without attesting their functions, and I reserve the right to make such changes without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The dominant features of my invention reside in the portions shown in full lines.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A toothbrush cleaner adapted to be attached to a toothbrush handle comprising a cleaner handle with an end portion and a central portion, said end portion is curved outwardly along its length to define a hollow, semi-elliptical cross-section where the brush handle is inserted, said central portion is contoured with reduced section at its center for better gripping; a cleaner brush head having a thickened underside the outer end of which is provided with rows of bristles that are stiffer and longer than the bristles of its toothbrush member.

2. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the central portion of the cleaner handle is non-contoured or straight.

3. A toothbrush cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the cleaner handle is to be adapted to a toothbrush handle that is provided with catches on its side.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,360,615 11/1920 Bolard 15-167 X 2,422,823 6/1947 Christensen 15-246 X 2,624,062 1/ 1953 Kroderer 15-106 X 3,147,840 9/ 1964 Brookhouser 15lll X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

P. FELDMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TOOTHBRUSH CLEANER ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A TOOTHBRUSH HANDLE COMPRISING A CLEANER HANDLE WITH AN END PORTION AND CENTRAL PORTION, SAID END PORTION IS CURVED OUTWARDLY ALONG ITS LENGTH TO DEFINE A HOLLOW, SEMI-ELLIPTICAL CROSS-SECTION WHERE THE BRUSH HANDLE IS INSERTED, SAID CENTRAL PORTION IS CONTOURED WITH REDUCED SECTION AT ITS CENTER FOR BETTER GRIPPING; A CLEANER BRUSH HEAD HAVING A THICKENED UNDERSIDE THE OUTER END OF WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH ROWS OF BRISTLES THAT ARE STIFFER AND LONGER THAN THE BRISTLES OF ITS TOOTHBRUSH MEMBER. 